Fur-shearing machine



Oct. 22, 1929.

J. ZABEL FUR SHEARING MACHINE Filed' Dec. 20, 19%6 llllllllllll a Sheets- Sheet 1 llllllllllll ll0\b l ll lllllbllllll [22 van for,

Oct. 22, 1929. J. ZABEL 1,732,323

' FUR SHEARING'MACHINE Fild Dec. 20. 1926 s SheetS -Sheet 2 J12 vnioz Oct. 22, 1929. J. ZABEL FUR SHEARING MACHINE Filed Dec. 20. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet J12 V822 zor,

Patented Oct. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT A OFFICE FUR-SHEARING MACHINE Application filed December 20, 1926', Serial No. 155,867, andin CanadaDecember 16, 1926.

The invention relates to improvements in fur shearing machines as described in the present specification and shown in the accompanying drawings that form a part of the same.

The main object of the invention is to provide means for holding the skins securely to the carrier during their progress past the shearing knives and thus prevent their being drawn into the path of said knives by the suction employed to draw the hairs outwardly for shearing, the adjustment of said holding means being elfected by the presence of said skins in progress to said knives;

And generally the objects of the invention are to provide a fur shearing machine which will be cheap to construct, simple to operate and eficient.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction, arrangements and combinations as will be more fully and particularly pointed out hereinafter.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine, with portions thereof broken away and thesupport for the electric control mechanism shown'in cross section.

Figure 2 is a view partly in vertical section, taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the machine, with portions thereof broken away. Figure is an end view of a portion of the maohine'to show the alternative positions of the various parts to that shown in Figure Lv Figure 5 is a perspective view of-one of the hooks employed to secure the skins to the carrier.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to the drawings 1 represents a fur-shearing machine consisting broadly of a suitable frame carrying a rotatable element 2 in which are secured knives 3 operating in combination with a vertically arranged knife blade 4 rigidly mounted transversely of said 45. frame and on which the hairs from the skins are adapted to be drawn by suction for cutting by the knives 3, the means for creat ing the suction not being shown in the drawings as same does not constitute a feature of the present invention.

5 is an endless carrier positioned in advance of the cutter 2 and adapted to deliver skins thereto for shearing, saidcarrier operating over a roller 6 rigidly mounted on a driven shaft (3 mounted at the forward end of the frame and over a series of rollers 7, 8 and 9 positioned adjacent to the cutting element 2, the innermost roller 9 being of comparatively small diameter in order to provide a sharp said layers being stitched together, at intervals, or left free as desired, the uppermost layer being slightly shorter than the bottom layer-and having its ends connected by means of an elastic strip 11 sewn, or otherwise secured thereto, this having been found to be a very efficient means for compensating for the extra slippage of the bottom layer, thus effectually preserving the proper alignment of the skin holding hooks carried by the carrier in relation to the brush and other elements of the machine as will be fully described hereinafter.

The various driven elements such as the shaft 6 and the cutting element 2 may be driven by any suitable means, one arrangement of belts and pulleys being shown in the drawings but applicant is of course not to be limited to the arrangement shown as the means of driving the machine does not constitute a feature of the present invention.

12 are hooks, of which there may be any desired number, and by means of which the skins are adapted to be secured to the carrier 5 in proper alignment with relation to the cutters so as to insure even cutting ofthe hairs, the body portions respectively of sai hooks being positioned between the layers of canvas forming the carrier and the pointed ends thereof projecting through the uppermost layer of canvas, said hooks preferably being offset centrally as at'lS and being securely sewn, or otherwise secured, to the lowerlayer of canvas to prevent displacement thereof.

14 is a brush mounted above the carrier 5 in transverse relation thereto and beneath which the skins are adapted to pass in their progress to the shearing knives, said brush being mounted to permit of vertical adjustment thereof to compensate for the thickness of the skins in passage thereunder, the'means for mounting said brush consistingofcurved arms 15 and 15 extending rearwardly from opposite ends of the shaft 16 and having lateral extensions 17 rotatably mounted in bearings 18 secured to the frame of the machine, coil springs 19 being. suitably mounted on said extensional? and having their ends secured to the rearwardly extending arms 15 and, 15 respectively to exert a downward pressure on same and thus hold said brush to its down position.

As only the end of the skin first introduced to the cutter is secured on the carrier by means of the hooks 12 itis essential that :neansbe pronided for holding the other end of said skin in; engagement with the carrier subsequent to the release of the pressure of the brush 14 thereon, in order to prevent the skin from being drawn by suction onto the blade 4 and thus becoming damaged and for this purpose a rotatable holding element 21 having; teeth 22 therefrom adapted to extend through the fur and bear down on the skin, is provided, said element, or roller, being positioned between the brush 1 4 and the blade 4 and being mounted for vertical adjustment by means, of curved arms 23 e1:- tending rearwardly from opposite ends thereof and rigidly secured to a cross rod 24 which is rotatably mounted at opposite ends in bearings 25 carried by the frame, the portion of said cross rod between said arms23 being offset upwardly to permit of the movement of the arms 15 and 15 therebelow.

It is essential, that the weight of the element 21 be applied to the skin only after said skin, haspassedbeneath the brush, thus making it desirable that the brush 14 and'said weight, or holding element be raised or lowered simultaneously and this is acc0mplished by the means. described immediately hereinafter.

The arin15 is extended upwardly from its connection with the lateral extension 17 a short distance, as at 26, and turned out-wardly to provide a, lateral arm 27 to-the end of which is-.- rigidly secured an upwardly eX- tending-arm, or lever, 28 which at its top end is connected by one or more links 29 with one arm of a bell crank 30, said bell crank being pivoted. to a bracket, or other-desirable form of support, 31 carried by the frame of the machine.

It will-thusbe apparentthat verticalmovement of the brush will be translated to a rotary movement of the bell crank 30 through the operation of the arms 15, 26 and 28 and the links 29.

32 is an electric contact in ring form mounted on the support 31 and suitably insulated therefrom, said contact being constructed in two sections, 32 and 32 in spaced relation to each other, said sections being so arranged that when the brush 14 is in its lowermost position, that is when there is no skin separating it from the carrier 5, the free end, or finger, 33 of the bell crank 30 will be in engagement with the lower section 32 and when the said brush is raised during the passage of a skin thereunder said finger will be rotated through the operation of the vari ous arms. connecting said brush therewith and brought into engagement with the upper section 32 which is connected with the source of electric energy by the wire 35.

36 is an electric magnet suitably located in relation to the machine, and being connected to the bell crank 30 by means of the wire 37.

It is thus apparent that when the finger 33 crosses the gap-between the two sections of the contact 32 the electrical connection will be opened, or closed, according to the direc* tion in which said finger is moved, that is, when the brush is down said finger will engage the section 32 and the circuit will be opened but when thebrush is raised said finger will be rotated and brought into engagement with the section 32, closing the circuit and, electrifying the magnet 36, said magnet being provided with a section 37 hinged. thereto and being connected by means of a rod, or other element, 38 with the outer end of an arm 39, which atits other end is rigidly mounted on the outer end of the rod 24.

Thus whenthe electric circuit is closed the hinged section 37, of the magnet will be drawn downwardly causing a pull on the arm 39 and consequently raising the weight member and upon the opening of the circuit due to the rotation of the finger 33 in the opposite direction the magnet will be de-energized thus permitting the weight memberto drop to its down position co-in'cident with the lowering of the brush 14. I

V In the operation of the invention the skin is placed on the carrier 5 with the forward end thereof securely caught on the hooks 12 in proper alignment in relation to the cutters and the machine is set in motion. As the skin passes under the brush 14 said brush is raised accordingly causing the lever 28 to be rotated and a the upper end thereof is connected by means of the members 29 with the arm 30 it will be rotated sufficiently far to bring the arm 33 into engagement with the contact This closes the electric circuit through. the magnet 36 causing the hinged. portion 37 to be drawn downwardly, pulling on the arm 39 as it descends and causing the weight member 21 to be raised to permit of the skin passing thereunder. When the skin has completed its passage under the brush said brush drops downwardly again into engagement with the carrier causing the lever 28 to return to its original position rotating the arm 30 out of engagement with the con tact 32 and opening the electric circuit through the magnet, thus allowing the weight member 21 to drop on to the skin and hold the otherwise unsecured end thereof to the carrier and thus prevent the said end from being thrown into the cutters as the carrier rounds the roller 9. I

If desirable brackets &0 may be secured to the casing 41 and provided with vertical slots 42 wherein the ends of the holding member 21 are slidable vertically so as to insure proper alignment of said holding member.

While a preferred form of theinvention has been shown herein and described it is understood that changes may be made in the form, proportion and construction of the several parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a fur shearing machine, a movable carrier, a rotatable brush normally engaging the face of said carrier in transverse relation thereto, said brush being yieldably mounted to permit of being raised by a skin in passage thereunder, a weight member, and electrical means operable through the vertical movement of said brush for raising said weight member and holding same in suspension during the passage of said skin under said brush. I I

2. In a fur shearing machine, a movable carrier, a rotary brush engaging the top face of said carrier, a weight member movable into and out of engagement with said carrier, said brush being yieldably mounted to permit of the vertical adjustment'thereof during the passage of a skin thereunder, and electric switching apparatus operable through the vertical movement of said brush, for controlling the movement of said weight member. t

8. In a fur shearing machine, a movable carrier, a rotatable brush normally resting on said carrier in transverse relation thereto, said brush being yieldably mounted to. per mit of being raised by the skins in passage thereunder, a weight member, an electromagnet having connection with said weight member, and means operable through the ver tical movement of said brush for controlling the supply of electric energy to said electromagnet.

in passage thereunder, an electro-magnet, means operable through the vertical movement of said brush for controlling the supply of electric energy to said electro-magnet, a weight member normally engaging the face of said carrier parallel to said brush, and means whereby upon the energization of said electro-magnet due to theraising of'said brush by the presence of a skin thereunder said weight member is lifted out'of engagement with said carrier.

5. In a fur shearing machine, a movable carrier, a vertically yieldable brush rotatable above said carrier in transverse relation thereto, electric contact making apparatus operable through the vertical movement of said brush, a weight member, and electro-magnetic means controlled by said contact making apparatus for raising said weight member coincidently with the upward movement of said brush.

6. In a fur shearing machine, a frame, a pelt carrier, a brush mounting rotatably in said frame and including parallel arms extending longitudinally of said carrier, a brush rotatably mounted in the ends of said arms and engaging the face of said carrier, said brush being spring held to its down position, a weight member adapted to bear down on the skin subsequent to the passage of said skin beneath said brush, and electrical 'means for raising said weight member 00- incident with the raising of said brush and holding same suspended during the passage of said skin beneath said brush.

7 In a fur shearing machine, a frame, a endless carrier, a brush mounting carried by said frame and including parallel arms extending longitudinally of said'carrier at opposite sides thereof, a brush rotatable between the ends of said arms and normally engaging the face of said carrier, said mounting being rotatable in said frame to permit of vertical movement of said brush, an arm rigidly secured to said brush mounting and rotatable therewith, a stationary electric con tact, a movable contact having connection with the free end of said arm whereby on the raising of said brush said movable contact is rotated into engagement with said stationary contact, a weight member and an electro-magnet having connection with said weight member and adapted to be energized upon the engagement of said stationary and movable contacts.

8. In a fur shearing machine, a movable pelt carrier, a brush rotatable in the frame of said carrier transversely thereof, said brush being mounted to permit of its being raised by a pelt in its passage thereunder, a vertically movable weight member rotatable on the face of said carrier adjacent to said brush and parallel therewith, an electromagnet having connection with said weight member, and means operable upon the upward movement of said brush for closing. the electric circuit through said electro-magnet to raise said weight member and hold same suspended during the passage of said pelt beneath said brush.

9. In a fur shearing machine, a-movable pelt carrier, a vertically adjustable brush rotatabl'e on said carrier in transverse relation thereto, an electro-magnet, a stationary electric contact, a movablecontact adapted to be rotated into engagement with said stationary contact through the upward movement of said brush due to the passage of a pelt thereunder and energize said electro-m-agnet, and a weight member adapted on the energization of said electro-magnet to be raised thereby and held suspended during the passage of said pelt beneath said brush.

10. In a fur shearing machine, a frame, an endless pelt carrier, a brush mounting rotatable in bearings in said frame and including parallel arms extending longitudinally of said carrier, abrush rotatably mounted in said arms and engaging said carrier, a pelt holding member extending transversely of said carrier in parallel relation tosaid brush, means for supporting said holding member to permit of vertical movement thereof, said means including parallel arms mounted on opposite ends of said member and a cross'ro'd rotatablyvmounted in bearings in said frame and having rigid connection with said arms whereby on the rotation of said cross rod said holding member will be raised, an int-ermedi ately pivoted lever arm rigidly mounted at one end: of said cross rod,--an electro-inagi'iet provided with a hinged section having: its free end held in spacedrelation to the body-of the magnet and connected to the tree endoi'said lever arm, and means operable upon the'raising of said brush to close the electriccircuit through said: electr c-magnet whereby said hinged section is drawn inwardly thereby raising said holding. member.

11. In a fur shearing machine,iin combination, shearing knives, means for operating said knives, an endless carrier adapted to deliver skins to said knives for shearing,

hooks carried by said carrier for securing the forward ends of said skinstheretd-a vertically adjustable brush mounted above said carrier and exerting downward pressure on said skins, a vertically adjustable weight member operating between said brush and said knives for exerting pressure 0'11 said skins subsequent to the passage of said skins beneath said brush, and means operable through the movement of said brush for im parting co-incident vertical movement to: said weight member.

12 In a fur shearing machine, in' com bination, a vertical blade,-rotary cutter-s cooperating with saidblade, an endless carrier adapted-to deliver skins to said blade-,means for detachably securingthe forward en'ds of said skins to said carrier, a vertically adjustable brush mounted above said carrier and exerting pressure on said skins in passage to said cutter, a weight element adapted to be held suspended above said carrier during the passage of a skin under said brush and adapted on the completion of the passage under said brush to fall into engagement with. said skin in advance of saidblade, and means operable through the movement of said brush to;release-saidweight element.

13. The combination in a fur shearing machine includingan endless carrier having skin retaining hooks thereon, a stationary blade receiving the hairs from said skins during their progress around one end of said carrier, a rotary cutterjeooperating with said blade and a vertically adjustable brush mounted above said carrier, of a weight member positioned above said carrier between said brush and said blade and adapted to exert downward pressure on said skins subsequent to the passage of said skins beneath said brush, said weight member being adjustable vertically through the movement of said brush, and electrical means for holding said weight member free of engagement with said skins during their progress beneath said brush.

14:. Ina turshearing machine, in combination, shearing: knives, an endless carrier adapted to deliver" skins in proximity there to, books carried by said carrier for securing the forward ends of said skins thereto, a ver- .tically adjustable brush positioned above said carrier and-holding the unhooked portions of :saidskins to said carrier, a weight element positioned between said brush and said knives and adapted to exert pressure on said skins subsequent .to their passage beneath said brush, and means for effecting the vertic'al movement of said brush and said weight element simultaneously, said means including an electricallyenergized contact, an arm operable through the movement of said brush and having a finger connected thereto adapted on the movement of said arm to be moved into and out of engagement with said contact, a magnet having electrical connection with said finger wherebythe circuit through said magnet is' closed upon the raising of saidbrush diieto the presence of a skin there below, and means operable through the action of saidmagnet for raising said weight element. 1

15. In a fur shearing machine, in com- .bination, a stationary blade, a rotary cutter cooperating with said blade, an endless carrier adapted to deliver skins to said blade, hooks secured to said carrier for securing the forward-ends of said skins in alignment .Withsaid blade, abrush pivotally supported above said-carrier and holding the free portionsof s'aidskins in proper alignment on said carrier, and an upwardly extending arm having rigid connection with said brush whereby vertical movement of said brush is translated to a rotary movement of said arm, a stationary contact, a movable contact rotatable into and out of engagement with said stationary contact through the rotation of said arm, a magnet having electrical connec tion with said movable contact and adapted to be energized upon the engagement of said movable and stationary contacts, a holding element, and means operable upon the energization of said magnet for raising said holding element and retaining same free of engagement withsaid skins during their passage beneath said brush.

16. In a fur shearing machine, in combination, a stationary blade, a rotary cutter cooperating with said blade, an endless carrier adapted to deliver skins to said blade, hooks secured to said carrier for securing the forward ends of said skins in alignment with said blade, a brush rotatably supported above said carrier and holding the free portions of said skins in proper alignment with said carrier, an upwardly extending arm having rigid connection with said brush whereby vertical movement of said brush is translated to a rotary movement of said arm, a stationary contact, a movable contact rotatable into and out of engagement with said stationary contact through the rotation of said arm, a magnet having electrical connection with said movable contact and adapted to be energized upon the engagement of said movable and said stationary contacts, a holding element positioned transversely of said carrier between said brush and said blade and adapted to engage said skins subsequent to their passage beneath said brush, said holding element being pivotally supported for vertical movement coincident with said brush, an arm having rigid connection with said holding element and extending upwardly therefrom, and means operable upon tlie energization of said magnet for exerting a pull on the last mentioned armto raise said holding element coincident upon the raising of said brush.

17 In a fur shearing machine, in combination, shearing knives, a frame carrying said knives, a vertically adjustable brush rotatably mounted in said frame, an endless carrier supporting said brush and adapted to deliver skins to said knives, said carrier comprising superposed layers of fabric, one of which layers is divided transversely and provided with an elastic insert, hooks carried by said carrier, a skin holding element operating transversely of said carrier between said brush and said knives, rollers positioned within said carrier and constituting rigid sup ports for said brush and said holdng element respectively, and means operable by said brush in its upward movement for imparting simultaneous upward movement to said hold-. ing element.

Signed at the city of Toronto, Ont.,this 13th day of May, 1926.

' JACOB ZABEL. 

